No poultry show at Roosevelt County Fair

The poultry show at this year’s Roosevelt County Fair has been canceled.

The news came in a posting on the fair’s website: “After long and thoughtful discussion and at the recommendation of the New Mexico State Veterinarian’s office, the Roosevelt County Fair Board has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2024 Poultry Show. We look forward to seeing you in 2025.”

The Roosevelt County Fair is scheduled Aug. 20-25.

“They have an issue with all fowl right now, and we didn’t want to add insult to injury. We’re just trying to err on side of caution,” said Fair Board President Wes Weems.

Weems went on to describe what he called a “serious type of bird illness going around.”

Roosevelt County Extension Agent Patrick Kircher said the virus of concern is a highly pathogenic avian influenza.

“It’s what was behind the depopulation of the egg laying barn in Farwell recently,” Kircher said.

“The problem is there’s a lot of uncertainty as to where this virus is residing, and will it re-emerge at some point,” Kircher said.

No decision has been made about the poultry show for the Curry County Fair, also in August. That decision will probably be made when the Curry Fair Board meets July 2, said Curry County Extension Service Ag Agent Mason Grau.